St. Stephens Community House at 1500 East 17th Ave. in Columbus is in the middle of its "Coats or Kids" program. St. Stephens is expecting about one thousand people to receive new and used winter clothing to those in need, no questions asked.

St. Stephens Community House at 1500 East 17th Ave. in Columbus is in the middle of what it calls Coats for Kids. St. Stephens is giving away new and used winter clothing to those who need it. It expects about 1,000 people to come to the center before the program ends on Saturday.

In the gym at St. Stephens there are racks and tables filled with clothing that Rene Williams describes as new or gently used.

“We have coats of all sizes, we have snow suits, we have jackets, windbreakers, vests, gloves, socks,” Williams says. “You name it, we have it out.”

And they’re free for the taking. Williams is St. Stephens’s development director. She says the community organization primarily serves the Linden area, but anyone in need is welcome during the three-day event that started on Thursday.

“It’s called Coats for Kids but we have a variety of sizes from newborn; very, very nice items for them to take,” Williams says.

Williams says Swan Cleaners has been a big contributor to the event for 21 years. They accept clothing donations, then clean and make repairs before they deliver them to St. Stephens.

Retirees Bernice and Charlie Fitzhugh were looking through the racks on Friday. Mrs. Fitzhugh said she’d already found several nice jackets.

While staying warm is important, Rene Williams says Coats for Kids has a greater mission, raising the self-esteem of underprivileged children.

“This is so very important because look at the weather. But it also maintains the dignity of the family because the children can’t concentrate if they feel that what they’re wearing is substandard, below the child that is next to them. So we want to make sure that they’re in line, as much as possible with what the other kids are wearing,” Williams says.

As families headed out the door, employees were rolling more coats, hats and gloves into the gymnasium.

]]>http://wosu.org/2012/news/2008/02/01/columbus-residents-get-coats-for-kids-assistance/feed/0community,house,kids,linden,rene,stephensSt. Stephens Community House at 1500 East 17th Ave. in Columbus is in the middle of its "Coats or Kids" program. St. Stephens is expecting about one thousand people to receive new and used winter clothing to those in need, no questions asked.St. Stephens Community House at 1500 East 17th Ave. in Columbus is in the middle of its "Coats or Kids" program. St. Stephens is expecting about one thousand people to receive new and used winter clothing to those in need, no questions asked.WOSU Newsno2:09Anchor ‘Away’ – City Center’s Larget Retail Departshttp://wosu.org/2012/news/2007/09/20/anchor-away-city-centers-larget-retail-departs/
http://wosu.org/2012/news/2007/09/20/anchor-away-city-centers-larget-retail-departs/#commentsThu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0000Sam Hendrenhttp://wosu.org/2012/news/2007/09/20/anchor-away-city-centers-larget-retail-departs/

Macy's says it will close its downtown Columbus department story located in City Center Mall. The department store chain says business is too slow to keep the store open. Macy's shoppers say they're disappointed.

Macy’s says it will close its downtown Columbus department story located in City Center Mall. The department store chain says business is too slow to keep the store open.

Macy’s shoppers say they’re disappointed. Bernice McArver and Carnecia Gilles both guess that through the years they’ve spent more than $100,000 each at the City Center Macy’s, known previously as Kaufmann’s. McArver says she’s angry; Gilles says she’s heartbroken.

“I’m a shopaholic,” Gilles says. “I love Macy’s! Oh my gosh!”

McArver added, “We’re here every day!”

But as Gilles describes it the news is not totally unexpected given City Center’s burgeoning vacancy rate.

“You see businesses continue to dwindle down and to disappear and it kind of takes the morale away,” Gilles says.

Renee Crumpler said losing Macy’s is a big loss to downtown Columbus.

“I’m sad to see it go,” Crumpler says. “Just like anybody else I was hoping to see it part of downtown Columbus. But of course you can never replace a memory here in the City Center Mall.”

The company says clearance sales will begin in mid-October. The store will close in November.

]]>http://wosu.org/2012/news/2007/09/20/anchor-away-city-centers-larget-retail-departs/feed/0bernice,carnecia,center,columbus,crumpler,gilles,macy's,mall,mcarver,reneMacy's says it will close its downtown Columbus department story located in City Center Mall. The department store chain says business is too slow to keep the store open. Macy's shoppers say they're disappointed.Macy's says it will close its downtown Columbus department story located in City Center Mall. The department store chain says business is too slow to keep the store open. Macy's shoppers say they're disappointed.WOSU Newsno50